Today is the day - it's the 950th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings!
This blog is going to look into some of the history, celebrations and fun facts about the anniversary that we have found interesting throughout this celebration week here in Hastings. As part of the anniversary celebrations a 50p coin was created to commemorate the occasion.
The Battle Of Hastings - October 14th 1066 -
As night fell on October 13th 1066 - two armies were preparing for battle in clear sight of each other.
On one side there was Harold who had been crowned King of England nine months earlier, and on the other, Duke William of Normandy who believed that he was the rightful King of England.
By the end of the day, thousands lay dead on the battlefield, Harold had been killed in the battle and the victorious William was one step closer to seizing the throne.
Some fun facts about Hastings;
- Hastings Castle was the first motte and bailey castle built.
- Aleister Crowley - An English Occultist died in Hastings in December 1947, aged 72
- Hastings is home to the largest beach launch fishing port.
- On May day each year, Hastings welcomes over 20,000 bikers to the town as part of the Biker Run.
- Princess Victoria - Before she became Queen, she stayed at a hotel on Hastings seafront which is now the Best Western Royal Victoria Hotel.
- The Queen is the only person to have been presented with a Golden Winkle!
- East Hill Cliff Railway lift is now the steepest funicular railway in the United Kingdom.
- George Chapman - A 'Jack the Ripper' suspect owned a barber shop in George Street, Hastings.
- Foyle's War is filmed here in Hastings.
- John Logie Baird, moved to Hastings in 1922. John succeeded to make the world's first image transmissions.
This blog is going to look into some of the history, celebrations and fun facts about the anniversary that we have found interesting throughout this celebration week here in Hastings. As part of the anniversary celebrations a 50p coin was created to commemorate the occasion.
The Battle Of Hastings - October 14th 1066 -
As night fell on October 13th 1066 - two armies were preparing for battle in clear sight of each other.
On one side there was Harold who had been crowned King of England nine months earlier, and on the other, Duke William of Normandy who believed that he was the rightful King of England.
By the end of the day, thousands lay dead on the battlefield, Harold had been killed in the battle and the victorious William was one step closer to seizing the throne.
Some fun facts about Hastings;
- Hastings Castle was the first motte and bailey castle built.
- Aleister Crowley - An English Occultist died in Hastings in December 1947, aged 72
- Hastings is home to the largest beach launch fishing port.
- On May day each year, Hastings welcomes over 20,000 bikers to the town as part of the Biker Run.
- Princess Victoria - Before she became Queen, she stayed at a hotel on Hastings seafront which is now the Best Western Royal Victoria Hotel.
- The Queen is the only person to have been presented with a Golden Winkle!
- East Hill Cliff Railway lift is now the steepest funicular railway in the United Kingdom.
- George Chapman - A 'Jack the Ripper' suspect owned a barber shop in George Street, Hastings.
- Foyle's War is filmed here in Hastings.
- John Logie Baird, moved to Hastings in 1922. John succeeded to make the world's first image transmissions.